I have worked with Lester Lanin, Bobby Sherwood, Lee Castle (who
took over the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra) and with the famous Dixieland
Group of Joe Marsala at the Hickory House on 57 Street in New
York City, with Bobby Hackett on trumpet, Chuck Wayne on guitar,
George Wellington on piano, Shelley Mann on drums, and Roy on
bass,. Roy also worked with the George Paxton Orchestra for a
few years. It was with this orchestra he played the Capitol Theatre,
New York City, featuring Lena Horne, This was a most enjoyable
engagement, except for a frightening, unforgettable episode.
At one of the performances, the Rising Stage came up part way,
with one side getting stuck, while the other side continued to
rise. The engineers stopped the motion very suddenly, but the
music stands, music and musicians and instruments fell down.
Everyone on stage had to pick up music, music stands and instruments
and abandon the stage; they had to bring everything to the upper
main stage behind the curtain. The show was delayed approximately
one hour. Leon Horne had made arrangements for a birthday party
for her daughter, which had to be rescheduled, and was celebrated
with the musicians backstage, after the show. We all had a great
time, and thanked Lena Horne for her graciousness. This occurred
in 1947, and is, obviously, an experience I'll never forget.
-
- Note:
- This event happened in September 1947 at the Capitol Theatre,
with Lena Horne and the George Paxton Band, with the following
members:
- Roy Salanitro (Santro) - Bass
- Arnold Fishkin - Piano
- Pete Stroiker - Drums
- Jack Purcell - Guitar
- Jimmy Erickson - Accordian
- Chas. Roeder - Vibs
- Chubby Kustin - Tapt
- George Stefan - Trombone
- George Paxton - Tenor Sax
- Harry Weist - Baritone Sax
- Romeo Penqui - Alto
- Jerry Sanfino - Alto
- Andy Corrado - French Horn
- Teddy Wiesmentel - Arrangement
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